Egypt, 7 other countries condemn continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque

CAIRO – 11 March 2026: The foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Turkey have condemned the continued closure of the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Haram al-Sharif by Israeli occupation authorities.

The ministers noted that the restrictions prevent Muslim worshippers from entering the site, a move particularly concerning during the holy month of Ramadan.

The foreign ministers affirmed that the security restrictions imposed on access to the Old City of Jerusalem and its places of worship—along with discriminatory and arbitrary limitations on other religious sites in the area—constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

They further stated that these actions breach the historical and legal status quo and the principle of unrestricted access to places of worship.

The ministers reiterated their absolute rejection and condemnation of these illegal measures, as well as Israel’s continued provocative practices at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and against worshippers.

They emphasized that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied city of Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites.

Furthermore, the ministers reiterated that the entire 144-dunum area of Al-Aqsa Mosque is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims. They stated that the Jerusalem Waqf and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Places, remains the sole legal authority with exclusive jurisdiction over the management of the mosque's affairs and the regulation of entry.

The ministers demanded that Israel, as the occupying power, immediately cease closing the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, refrain from obstructing worshippers, and lift restrictions on access to the Old City of Jerusalem.

Finally, they called upon the international community to take a firm stance to compel Israel to halt its ongoing violations and illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, and to end its violations of the sanctity of these holy places.